Buoyant viewing platform

ABSTRACT

A buoyant viewing platform for scanning the bottom of an aquatic environment from above so as to provide a clear, undisturbed field of view is provided. The buoyant viewing platform may include a body portion dimensioned and adapted to accommodate a human user on a top surface, wherein the body portion forms a viewing port for scanning bottom of the aquatic environment, and wherein a canopy may be disposed along the top surface so as to protect the user from the elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/989,862, filed 7 May 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to underwater observation devices and, more particularly, to a buoyant platform for scanning the bottom of an aquatic environment from above.

When trying to observe the bottom of an aquatic environment, while in the water, an observer tends to frighten away any aquatic life that would otherwise be observable. Moreover, the observer tends to disturb the aquatic environment's sediment, which becomes dispersed, clouding the observer's vision and obscuring things that would be otherwise easily seen, like lost valuables or aquatic life.

As can be seen, there is a need for a buoyant platform for scanning the bottom of an aquatic environment from above so as to leave a clear field of view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a buoyant viewing platform, includes a body portion made of resilient buoyant material, defining two opposing side edges; a viewing port formed by the body portion, between the two opposing side edges thereof; and an arm slot formed by the body portion, along each opposing side edge thereof.

In another aspect of the present invention, a buoyant viewing platform includes a body portion having a resilient buoyant material, defining two opposing side edges; a viewing port formed by the body portion, between the two opposing side edges thereof; an arm slot formed by the body portion, along each opposing side edge thereof; a plurality of coupling slots formed by the body portion; at least one T-angle bars embedded within a portion of the body portion; at least one hook disposed along the body portion; and at least one bumper disposed along a front peripheral edge of the body portion; an arcuate canopy extending from an aft end to a forward end so as to substantially shield a top surface of the body portion, wherein the aft end and the forward end each form an aft pocket and a forward pocket, respectively; a framing system having an aft frame adapted to be received in the aft pocket so as to perpendicularly engage an underside of the arcuate canopy; and a forward frame adapted to be received in the forward pocket so as to obtusely engage the underside of the arcuate canopy, wherein the aft frame and the forward frame engage opposing sides of the tautly extended arcuate canopy; and a spring loaded coupling assembly interconnecting each coupling slot and the framing system.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a spring loaded coupling assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detail section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a detail section view of an exemplary embodiment of the spring loaded coupling assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the spring loaded coupling assembly of the present invention, illustrating operability of a coupling sleeve to remove a frame post 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a buoyant viewing platform for scanning the bottom of an aquatic environment from above so as to provide a clear, undisturbed field of view. The buoyant viewing platform may include a body portion dimensioned and adapted to accommodate a human user on a top surface, wherein the body portion forms a viewing port for scanning bottom of the aquatic environment, and wherein a canopy may be disposed along the top surface so as to protect the user from the elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10, the present invention may include a buoyant viewing platform 100 for scanning the bottom of an aquatic environment 78 from above so that a user 76 is afforded a clear field of view thereof. The buoyant viewing platform 100 may include a body portion 90 dimensioned and adapted to accommodate a human user 76 on a top surface, wherein the body portion 90 forms a viewing port 14 for scanning bottom of the aquatic environment, and wherein an arcuate canopy 26 may be disposed along the top surface so as to protect the user 76 from the elements, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The body portion 90 may be generally rectangular in shape having two opposing side edges and two opposing end edges, a forward end and an opposing aft end. The body portion 90 may form opposing arm slots 16 along the two opposing side edges. The body portion 90 may form a viewing port 14, near the forward end and generally symmetrically disposed between the opposing side edges, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The viewing port 14 may be a void dimensioned and adapted to receive the head of the user 76 wherein the user 76 may be wearing a mask and snorkel. In certain embodiment, the viewing port may be filled or covered with a transparent material or cover.

The arm slots 16 may be dimensioned, adapted and disposed for receiving the arms of the user 76 so that said arms are enabled to maneuver and propel the buoyant viewing platform 100 along the water while the user 76 uses the viewing port 14.

The body portion 90 may be defined a platform core 10 generally encased by a platform shell 12. The platform core 10 may be a buoyant, resilient material such as polyurethane, polystyrene foam, balsa wood or the like. The platform shell 12 may be fiberglass cloth coated with polyester, epoxy resin or the like. At least one re-bar 62 may be embedded within the platform core 12 for providing flexural and or bending strength about portions of the length of the body portion 90. In certain embodiments, the re-bar 62 may be sized, dimensioned and disposed inside the platform core 10 so as to account for the loss of strength due to the viewing port 14 and the nearby arm slots 16.

At least one hook slots 60 may be formed along at least one edge of the body portion 90, wherein each hook slot may be adapted to securely receive a hook 58. Each hook 58 may be dimensioned and adapted to retain accessories 80, including but not limited to mesh bags, digging implements, means of protection, and the like.

The arcuate canopy 26 may form a C-shape or generally arcuate shape, as illustrated in FIG. 2, though the canopy 26 can form any volumetric shape so long as the canopy 26 functions as disclosed herein. The canopy 26 may be made of resilient, light weight material such as nylon, rayon or the like, wherein a user 76 disposed underneath the canopy 26 may be shielded from the elements, including exposure to the sun, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The canopy 26 may interconnected to the body portion 90 by a framing system. The framing system may provide a forward frame 18 and an aft frame 22 for supporting opposing ends of the canopy 26. The forward frame 18 may perpendicularly engage an underside of the canopy 26 and so be generally shaped and dimensioned to match the shape of the canopy 26. Each opposing end of the, say, C-shaped forward frame 18 may terminate in frame posts 20. The aft frame 22 may be dimensioned and adapted to be obtusely engage the underside of the canopy 26, and so may be have an elongated C-shape. The opposing ends of the aft frame 22 may terminate in frame posts 24. Each frame 18 and 22 may be interconnected near opposing ends of the top side of the body portion by spring loaded coupling assemblies. Each spring loaded coupling assembly may include coupling posts 40 and 48, coupling sleeves 42 and 50, and coupling anchors 44 and 52, for operatively engaging the complementary frame posts 20 and 24, facilitating quick installation, locking and removal of the canopy 26 from the body portion 90. Each spring loaded coupling assembly may be secured with coupling slots 38 and 46 formed within the body portion 90. The aft coupling slots 46 may be formed at an angle so that the projecting aft frame 22 shields the feet of the user 76. Each spring loaded coupling assembly may include coupling springs 54 and retainer elements 56 so that the coupling sleeves 42 and 50 operatively engage the respective coupling posts 40 and 48, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

In certain embodiments, the opposing ends of the canopy 26 may form an aft pocket 34 and a forward pocket 32 for slidably receiving the aft frame 22 and the forward frame 18, respectively. As such, the canopy 26 may be tautly disposed along the framing system between the aft frame 22 anchored in the aft pocket 34 and the forward frame 18 anchored in the forward pocket 32. The canopy 26 may form opposing side pockets 28 dimensioned and adapted to retain weights 30, further tautly anchoring the canopy 26 to the framing system.

A cleat 64 may be disposed along the body portion 90 for knotting a rope thereto, wherein the buoyant viewing platform 100 may be tied to a vessel or pier so as to be pulled along or secured from floating, respectively. The cleat 64 may be fastened to the body portion 90 by cleat fasteners 68 engaging by cleat holes 66 and cleat fasteners holes 70, sandwiching a cleat fastener plate 72 having plate fastener holes 74.

A bumper 36 may be disposed along a forward end of the body portion 90, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In certain embodiments, a camera and or light may be mounted to an underside of the body portion 90.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The buoyant viewing platform 10 disclosed above may be provided. The user 76 may lay along the top surface of the body portion 90 so that a portion of their head is received in the viewing port 14 and their arms are received in the opposing arm slots 16. With the canopy 26 disposed to shield the user 76 from the elements, the user's arms may maneuver and propel the buoyant viewing platform 100 along the water. The user may retain accessories in the provided hooks 58 while scanning the bottom of the aquatic environment for pleasure, studying marine biology or as an environmentalist monitoring the health of an ecosystem. In certain embodiments, disabled individuals, such as paraplegics, can once again be able to explore and take part in an aquatic activity.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. An individual may start with a mold that may be in the desired shape and dimensions, this would incorporate a raised sections which may create a voids to form the viewing port 14, also to the right and left and about a foot and half aft from this may be a half circle on both sides that would form the voids for the arm cut outs 16. The mold may have an upper and lower half, both having the voids for the viewing port 14 and cut outs 16 for the arms. The upper mold may also have voids to accommodate the coupling slots 38 and 46 to keep them from being driven down too far in the foam. After the mold is ready the bottom half may be flooded with the platform core 10, such as a polyurethane or polystyrene foam. While the foam is still wet the T-angel bar 62 and the coupling slots 38 and 46 may be set in a predetermined disposition, wherein the aft coupling slot 46 may be set at an angle (about 45 degrees) pointing aft so the canopy 26 would extend past the feet of the user 76. The aft couplings slots 46 may both be set inward from the aft end of the platform (one on each side) the forward couplings slots 38 may be set perpendicular to and inward from the forward end of the body portion 90. The couplings slots 38 and 46 may be masked off to avoid being contaminated when the upper half may be clamped in place and filled. Before the bottom half of the mold is done curing the upper half of the mold may be clamped into place and pressure filled with the same foam that was used for the lower half. After the mold has cured the platform would be removed and all the rough edges would be sanded down to make a nice smooth board. Then it would be wrapped in the platform shell 12, such as fiberglass and coated with resin, let cure and then painted. After the appropriate cure time the frame system could be attached using the couplings slot 38 and 46.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A buoyant viewing platform, comprising: a body portion made of resilient buoyant material, defining two opposing side edges; a viewing port formed by the body portion, between the two opposing side edges thereof; and an arm slot formed by the body portion, along each opposing side edge thereof.
 2. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 1, further comprising an arcuate canopy releasably connected to the body portion, wherein the arcuate canopy extends from an aft end to a forward end so as to substantially shield a top surface of the body portion from the elements.
 3. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of coupling slots formed by the body portion, wherein each coupling slot is dimensioned and adapted to facilitate the releasable connection of the arcuate canopy.
 4. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 3, further comprising a framing system interconnecting the coupling slots and the arcuate canopy, the framing system comprising: an aft frame adapted to perpendicularly engage an underside of the arcuate canopy; and a forward frame adapted to obtusely engage the underside of the arcuate canopy, wherein the aft frame and the forward frame engage opposing sides of the arcuate canopy.
 5. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 4, wherein the aft end and the forward end each form a pocket for slidably receiving the aft frame and the forward frame, respectively, whereby the arcuate canopy tautly extends from the aft frame to the forward frame.
 6. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 3, further comprising a spring loaded coupling assembly interconnecting each coupling slot and the framing system.
 7. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 3, further comprising at least one T-angel bar embedded within a portion of the body portion.
 8. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 1, further comprising at least one re-bar embedded within a portion of the body portion.
 9. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 1, further comprising at least one hook disposed along the body portion.
 10. The buoyant viewing platform of claim 1, further comprising at least one bumper disposed along a front peripheral edge of the body portion.
 11. A buoyant viewing platform, comprising: a body portion comprising: a resilient buoyant material, defining two opposing side edges; a viewing port formed by the body portion, between the two opposing side edges thereof; an arm slot formed by the body portion, along each opposing side edge thereof; a plurality of coupling slots formed by the body portion; at least one T-angel bar embedded within a portion of the body portion; at least one hook disposed along the body portion; and at least one bumper disposed along a front peripheral edge of the body portion; an arcuate canopy extending from an aft end to a forward end so as to substantially shield a top surface of the body portion, wherein the aft end and the forward end each form an aft pocket and a forward pocket, respectively; a framing system comprising: an aft frame adapted to be received in the aft pocket so as to perpendicularly engage an underside of the arcuate canopy; and a forward frame adapted to be received in the forward pocket so as to obtusely engage the underside of the arcuate canopy, wherein the aft frame and the forward frame engage opposing sides of the tautly extended arcuate canopy; and a spring loaded coupling assembly interconnecting each coupling slot and the framing system. 